Category Archives: Quilts & Quilting

It’s awfully quiet in here…

Sneak Peak

You might have noticed in yesterday’s Talk To Me Tuesday that I didn’t actually show anything that I’m working on.

Ehem.

There’s a mighty fine reason for that. I’ve been working on something I can’t show off just yet. In fact, I will need the all-clear from someone else before I share it.

Is that vague enough for you?

This photo is a teeny tiny sneak peek.

That’s it…I really can’t say anything else!

Back to hand stitching a hanging sleeve.

Oh, oh, could that be a clue?!

Reminder: Use coupon code QUILTMYPHONE in the Sewhooked Shop to receive the Floating Mariner instant download PDF pattern for half price as an instant PDF download with PayPal payment – completely secure shopping through E-junkie.  This price is only good right here on Sewhooked during the month of February.

I'm a Craftsy Designer

You can now get all my for-pay patterns via instant PDF download through Craftsy! They charge nothing, nada, zero for independent designers like me to post and sell their patterns. Having had an online store for almost two years now, let me tell you, free is not usually the way it works! It’s been hugely helpful for the teeny tiny Sewhooked budget, and if it continues to go well, there is a possibility that I will start selling my patterns exclusively through Craftsy.

Shop Sewhooked and help keep the free patterns free. (Craftsy Shop)

Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

Happy Stitching!

Photobucket

Workshops open through January 2013!

Register Now for STITCHED!

Paper Pieced Pattern-A-Day Garden Party Blog Hop  

Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter | Bloglovin | Craftsy

Huzzah!

The Free Quilt Pattern page is finally, finally updated!

It took me all day to make it behave and do just what I wanted, including adding spiffy navigation on the page itself. Please take a few minutes to check it out…I’d love to hear your feedback!

The Free Quilt Pattern page now includes:

  • Free Patterns by myself and Guest Designers
  • Difficulty Ratings
  • Bigger Pictures
  • A menu at the top of the page
  • “Top of Page” links between each section
  • Blog links for individual blocks (in progress!)
  • Links to my free patterns on other sites
  • Images and Patterns automatically open in a new page

Shop Sewhooked and help keep the free patterns free!

Add your Sewhooked-related photos (that includes my patterns posted to Fandom In Stitches!) to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

Have a wonderful afternoon!

Photobucket

Workshops open through January 2013!

Register Now for STITCHED!

Paper Pieced Pattern-A-Day Garden Party Blog Hop  

Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter | Bloglovin

I ❤ That!

Nine Hearts

I’ve said it before… I’m a sucker for hearts!

On this lovely February Friday, I bring to you an updated collection of my paper pieced heart patterns, including 1.5″ sets for my Valentine tutorial, one newly un-retired pattern, an “I love you” (or two!) and one newbie thrown in!

Paper Pieced Valentine tutorial
New – 1.5″ heart sets, created especially for Make A Mini-Valentine!

Each sheet in this set has 12 – 1.5″ patterns for making the card in the Make A Mini-Valentine tutorial.

Includes Scrappy Heart and A Simple HeartClick for the set.

log cabin heart

Log Cabin Heart (5″) New!

less than three

Less Than Three (5″) Updated!

patchy heart

Scrappy Heart 2 (5″) Updated!

braided heart

Braided Heart (5″)

a simple heart

A Simple Heart (5″)

scrappy heart

Scrappy Heart  (5″) Updated!

Heart With A Cause

Heart with a Cause (6″)

linus heart

The Linus Connection Heart (5″)

broken heart
Broken Heart (5″) Updated!

multi heart quilt layout

A fun layout created in EQ7 using several of the blocks shown in this post.

ASL I Love You
ASL “I love you” (6″)

Look for changes to be coming soon to the Free Pattern page! As I update old favorite patterns and continue to add new ones, I’m working to make the page easier for you to navigate and easier for me to update. Included on the free pattern page, you will also find great free patterns that other designers have allowed me to share with you as well as my free patterns available on other websites!

If you like my free patterns, please consider supporting my site by visiting my Craftsy Pattern Shop where you will find block patterns, project patterns and pattern sets, all designed by me!

Photobucket

Workshops open through January 2013!

Register Now for STITCHED!

Paper Pieced Pattern-A-Day Garden Party Blog Hop  

Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter | Bloglovin

Fat Quarterly Is Here!

Wow, wow, wow!

Your reaction to Braided Kaleidoscope was fantastic, thank you so much!

By far the number one question I’ve answered since Friday is “where do I get that pattern?!”

Braided Kaleidoscope for Fat Quarterly

Braided Kaleidoscope

Braided Kaleidoscope is available only in Fat Quarterly E-Zine, Issue 8.

The issue was available to subscribers on Friday and is available to everyone today, just look for the Buy Now button on this page!

I’ll be showing off the actual piece in tomorrow’s Talk To Me Tuesday. I think you’ll all be surprised when you see it’s actual size!

If you do make Braided Kaleidoscope, be sure to add it to the Fat Quarterly flickr (you know I love flickr!!) and please, please add it to the Sewhooked flickr, too. I’d love to feature your picture right here on Sewhooked!

Just a reminder that STITCHED workshops will now be available for a full year! That’s right, six more months of workshop awesomeness, giveaways and access to fabulous STITCHED instructors, including yours truly teaching you how to paper piece! If you’ve been hesitant to sign up for STITCHED, don’t be, because it’s a fantastically fun site full of wonderful workshops and community!

I hope to see you there!

Photobucket

Workshops are open!

Register Now!

Paper Pieced Pattern-A-Day Garden Party Blog Hop

I’m still looking for designers!

 

Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter | Bloglovin

Braided Kaleidoscope

Braided Kaleidoscope for Fat Quarterly

In recent weeks, I’ve been dubbed Teasing McTeaser by a good friend of mine.

You see, I keep dropping hints in my blog and on Talk To Me Tuesday (TTMT  for short) that I have would have something super awesome to share soon.

Finally, today, NOW, I get to share one of those awesome things! Yes, I said one…there will be more surprises in the weeks (and months!) to come!

Braided Kaleidoscope for Fat Quarterly

Braided Kaleidoscope

I designed a brand new 12″ paper pieced block for Fat Quarterly, a fantastic Ezine for quilters!

Issue 8 – Paper, is where you will find Braided Kaleidoscope (pg 29 & 30). Paper Piecing, English Paper Piecing and Freezer Paper all make an appearance and all the projects are just fantastic!

Subscribers can access their issue today, and it will be available for sale to non-subscribers on Monday. You can see the full (and very talented!) list of contributors right here.

If you do make Braided Kaleidoscope, be sure to add it to the Fat Quarterly flickr (you know I love flickr!!) and please, please add it to the Sewhooked flickr, too. I’d love to feature your picture right here on Sewhooked!

Last, but definitely NOT least, I have super-duper-awesome news about STITCHED! All workshops will now be available for a full year. That’s right, six more months of workshop awesomeness, giveaways and access to fabulous STITCHED instructors, including yours truly! If you’ve been hesitant to sign up for STITCHED, don’t be, because it’s a fantastically fun site full of wonderful workshops and community!

Have a very, very happy Friday!

Photobucket

Workshops are open!

Register Now!

Paper Pieced Pattern-A-Day Garden Party Blog Hop

I’m still looking for designers!

 

Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter | Bloglovin

Papa Bear’s Quilt – 1 of 12

12 for 2012 - 1/12, Papa Bear

Guess who’s going to star in Talk To Me Tuesday next week?

If you guessed Papa Bear, you guessed right!

This is my first UFO finish for 2012.

This quilt was started in 2008 as a pass around with my bee. You can read more about this project in my 12 for 2012 UFO post.

This quilt has always been intended for my hubby and will be his birthday gift in February.

12 for 2012 icon

All my 12 for 2012 posts

Since I ended up working most of Thursday (it was an accident, I swear!), I took yesterday off. I spent the morning having coffee with bee friend Linda while hand stitching the binding to the quilt. I took pre-washing pics yesterday, and then washed it last night. It scrunched up beautifully, especially in the cross-hatching. I love the transformation from bits and pieces I’ve sewn together to a yummy, scrunchy quilt ready to be cuddled and loved after the first wash. I’ll get post-washing pics when there’s more natural light outside.

12 for 2012 - 1/12, Papa Bear

The entire quilt is straight lines because Big E asked for a geometric design. I eyeballed it all, using the shapes of the blocks. The lines aren’t perfect, but I didn’t have any puckering and I love the way the cross-hatching turned out.

12 for 2012 - 1/12, Papa Bear

I put muslin on the back, something I’m becoming more and more fond of doing. I love how distinctly you can see the quilting and the way it looks after washing. This is a pre-wash picture.

We have a Linus Connection sew day today from 9 – 4 at a local non-profit place called The Stitching Studio. It is exactly what it sounds like, a place to stitch. It believe it seats about 15 and has design walls all around, sturdy tables and comfy chairs. There’s a kitchen and a bathroom, perfect for sewing all day!

All Dolled Up

Did you see my latest pattern set, All Dolled Up? Check it out here!

Get the PDF download of Floating Mariner for half-price (that’s just $3!) through January 15 with coupon code BEINSPIRED.

Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

Have a very happy Saturday!

 

Photobucket

Workshops are open!

Register Now!

 

Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter | Bloglovin

All Dolled Up!

Julia Catherine Amber

 Julia Catherine Catherine Amber Amber Julia

Julia Amber Catherine Julia Amber Catherine

All Dolled Up Pattern Set

Oh my, have I ever been busy!

Earlier this week, a message dropped in my inbox from Ann-Marie S., asking about paper pieced dress patterns. She wants to turn her daughters’ toddler dresses into quilt blocks and was looking for patterns to help her do that.

Well, how could I resist such an adorable request?

In exchange for her idea, Ann-Marie received a free copy of this fantastically fun set of patterns, which I have dubbed All Dolled Up.

Here’s how it works:

There are three paper pieced patterns in two sizes each:

  • 3 – 6″x6″ (6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ unfinished) patterns
  • 3 – 9″x9″ (9 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ unfinished) patterns

The tops and bottoms are interchangeable with blocks of their own size, which gives you 18 total dress variations!

This super fun, super simple pattern set is available right now as an instant download PDF right now through The Sewhooked Shop, powered by e-junkie, for safe and secure PayPal payments.

All Dolled Up Pattern Set

$6.50 PDF  Instant Download

Add to Cart

View Cart

All Dolled Up

There are three basic patterns; Julia, Catherine and Amber. The top from each dress can be paired with the skirts from the other two dresses, giving you nine different dresses!

All Dolled Up

Each pattern is also printable as a 6″ x 9″ (6 1/2″ x 9 1/2″) pattern, for a more “grown-up” effect!

All Dolled Up

Confused? Here’s an easy chart to get you on your way! The top row shows the base patterns: Julia, Catherine and Amber. The next two rows show each tops with a different skirt. For example, J+C = Julia (top) + Catherine (skirt). Easy!

All Dolled Up

All Dolled Up Pattern Set

$6.50 PDF  Instant Download

Add to Cart

View Cart

How’s that for a new pattern? I’m so in love with this set and can’t wait to piece my new little dresses into a quilt!
You still have time to get the PDF download of Floating Mariner for half-price (that’s just $3!) through January 15 with coupon code BEINSPIRED.
Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

Photobucket

Workshops are open!

Register Now!

 

Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter | Bloglovin


A Day Off

12 for 2012

Today is officially my Day Off. I work almost every day and I’ve decided NO MORE. I need a day to do my own thing and have a little breather from working. So, today, I work on my own projects, do some errands and quite possibly start reading The Fault In Our Stars, which landed on my doorstep yesterday.

I’ll be attaching binding to the quilt you see Tackett so blissfully napping upon later today. “Papa Bear” has been featured in my last couple of Talk To Me Tuesday videos and is my first personal project of the year, 1/12 in my 12 for 2012 list. I hope to hand stitch the binding to the back this weekend!

See all my 12 for 2012 posts!

Sewhooked Shop sneak peek

I have a number of new projects in the works, including the one you see above, which is a sneak peak of tomorrow’s post…a brand new pattern set for the Sewhooked Shop! This is unlike anything I’ve done before and you will not believe the sheer cuteness! Make sure you stop by tomorrow for the reveal!

Get the PDF download of Floating Mariner for half-price (that’s just $3!) through January 15 with coupon code BEINSPIRED.
Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

Photobucket

Workshops are open!

Register Now!

 

Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter | Bloglovin

12 for 2012 and 2011 UFO Recap!

For the last couple of years, I’ve started off with a recap of my UFOs from the last year and how far along I got with them. While I set general goals for myself, I have never done anything quite as organized as 12 for 2012.

With that in mind, I’d like to recap my 2011 UFO list and share my goals for this year! It makes for a big post…I hope you enjoy!

For your convenience, my own version of these definitions:

UFO = UnFinished Object – a project that has been set aside and allowed to collect dust. Chances are it’s existence has been forgotten until it’s pulled out of whatever dark hole it was stuffed into. While there, it probably multiplied like Tribbles, leaving many more UFOs than you remember putting there in the first place.

WIP = Work In Progress  – Always in danger of becoming a UFO, a WIP is a project that is currently being worked on, and will hopefully become a…

FO = Finished Object – What all projects dream of being. The object of much blog activity and excitement and a good source of personal pride. The Ultimate Destination of a UFO and WIP.

See my 2010 UFO list and the follow-up post.

See my 2011 UFO list.

The date in parenthesis is the birth year of each project.

Quilts

Christmas Quilt, aka “Homes for the Holidays” (2009)

Homes For The Holidays

  • 2011 status –FO – This quilt started the year as a UFO pieced up to the black border. I added the piano keys at during my bee’s annual quilt retreat. Quilting was completed by Rock Creek Quilts and I had it bound in time for Christmas.
  • Blogged

Bear Paw Pass Around Blocks (2008)

12 for 2012

  • 2011 status – WIP – Started as a pass around project with my bee in 2008, these blocks languished in a box until March of 2011.  At my bee’s annual retreat, I made several more blocks, pieced the top and added a border.  Backing fabric and batting have been acquired.
  • 2012 Goal – FO Quilt and bind in January and have ready for my hubby’s birthday Feb. 8. This will be his first “just for him” quilt from me.
  •   1/12 (January)

InuYasha Quilt (2010)

12 for 2012

  • 2011 status –Still Collecting – I started collecting for this quilt for my daughter in 2010. I have all the fabric and with the help of friends, have collected enough InuYasha t-shirts.
  • 2012 goal – FO – I’d like to get at least the quilt top completed by her birthday, but my real goal is the entire project completed by the end of February.
  •   2/12 (February)
Project of Doom Signature Quilt (2011)
12 for 2012
  • 2011 status – New – Signature quilt blocks collected in 2011 from participants in the Project of Doom (see below).
  • 2012 goal – FO – I want to have this project completely done in time to show in the fall quilt show put on by AAQG.
  •   3/12 (March)

Granny’s Signature Quilt (2010)

Hand Quilting In Progress

  • 2011 status – WIP – I continued to hand quilt on my grandmother’s signature quilt off and on during 2011.
  • 2012 goal – FO – Only one more row of blocks to go! I’d like to finish this one for my birthday in April.
  •   4/12 (March)

Photobucket (2010)

The Project of Doom - Completed Quilt Top

  • 2011 status –WIP – Designed in 2010 and hosted on Harry Potter Paper PiecingThe Project of Doom was my big project for 2011. I shared 30 blocks over 30 weeks, plus layout suggestions at the end. This was my last big offering to the Harry Potter quilt fandom and my goodbye to Harry Potter Paper Piecing as all my fandom patterns were moved to Fandom In Stitches.
  • 2012 goal  – FO – Currently at the quilter. Once it’s home again, I will add a sleeve, label and binding. I’d like to show it at the AAQG’s quilt show in the fall.
  • Pattern Archive; also available on Fandom In Stitches
  •   5/12 (May)

Embroidery BOM (2011)

12 for 2012

  • 2011 status – NEW – I learned to embroider in 2011 in order to complete my Project of Doom blocks. This was my practice project. Blogged.
  • 2012 goal – FO – Combine with bright colored fabrics into a quilt top. Possibly send out for quilting.
  •   6/12 (June)

New York Beauty

New York Beauty UFO

  • 2011 status – UFO – Made as class samples in 2010, I didn’t touch these blocks in 2011.
  • 2012 goal – WIPFinish piecing the blocks and go from there.
  •   7/12 (July)

5 @ The Hive (2011)

12 for 2012

  • 2011 status –WIP – My first BOM to participate where I didn’t choose the fabric. I have quite a few months worth of blocks still to make.
  • 2012 goal – FO – I’d like to get this to the next step and get all the blocks pieced. This may make an earlier appearance on my calendar and go to quilt retreat in March.
  •   8/12 (August)

Vintage Quilt Top (2010)

Anniversary Antique Mall find

  • 2011 status –UFO – An anniversary gift from my husband in 2010. This stayed on my shelf in 2011.
  • 2012 goal – FO – Baste, quilt (possibly by hand) and bind.
  •  9/12 (September)

Hand Applique (2010)

12 for 2012

  • 2011 status –WIP – From a beginning applique class I took in 2010. I finished stitching all the pieces in 2011. Definitely not my thing!
  • 2012 goal – FO –  I’d like to hand quilt this, possibly to be gifted. 
  •  10/12 (October)

Harry Potter/Magical Swap blocks (2007/2008)

10" HP swap blocks that need to be a quilt Misc Blocks received from Swaps

  • 2011 status –UFO – Despite laying these blocks out, hanging them on my design wall and thinking about them way too much, I did not do a darn thing with them.
  • 2012 goal – FO– I’m saving this for later in the year because I have no idea where to go with it. I need it off my plate, though, so on the list it goes!
  •   11/12 (November)

Churn Dash/Snowball (2011)

12 for 2012
  • 2011 status –WIP – I lucked into a set of vintage churn dash blocks last year just a few weeks before going on retreat in March. I picked up vintage reproductions of creams and red on our mini shop-hop on the way to retreat. The snowballs were pieced and assembled, then the top pieced, at retreat.
  • 2012 goal – FO– Add a border with more of the repro fabrics I’ve collected. Possibly flying geese? Possibly hand quilt.
  •   12/12 (November)
There and Back Again (2011)

There and Back Again Block of the Month (TABABOM) #3

  • 2011 status –NEWThere and Back Again is a BOM hosted on my other website, Fandom In Stitches. The BOM will finish up in November of this year. All patterns are free. Designs by myself, Michelle Thompson, Lilja Björk Sigurdórsdóttir and Schenley Pilgram.
  • 2012 goal – FO – but I’m not including it in the 12 for 2012. I have no doubt this one will get done!

Half-Square Triangle Exchange (2010)

1/2 square triangles from exchanges

  • 2011 status – UFO-ish – These blocks were plundered for several projects, including making more Bear Paws. I still have tons of these.
  • 2012 goal – Undecided – These are going to remain in my UFO pile for now.

Well, I think that’s it. I decided not to include my crochet list from last year, though I did finish the Black and Red afghan.

This is not even remotely everything I worked on in 2011, but it is a good solid list of my personal projects!

You can find all my for sale designs in the Sewhooked Shop. There were several newbies last year, including Aces High, Two Little Hooters, Fairy Tale Femmes and Turkey Talk! I have more fun designs up my sleeve!

What’s your UFO list look like for 2012?

Photobucket

Workshops are open!

Register Now!

 
Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter | Bloglovin

Homes For The Holidays

Homes For The Holidays

It’s raining in Austin.

Beautiful, wonderful, life-giving rain. After a year of drought, it’s a magical sound.

Rain is not, however, conducive to taking quilt photos. I love photographing my quilts outside. This so-so photo was taken in-between showers. It’ll have to do for now because I will trade good photos for rain any day!

“Homes for the Holidays” started as a pile of cottage blocks from a 2009 swap on the now defunct All About Paper Piecing (the site is still there, but deactivated).  I free-hand designed the paper pieced trees and just kept adding until the quilt top was a  nice lap size!

This project made my UFO to do list for two years running: 2010 and 2011. It’s good to move it to the “completed” list!

Christmas Cottage Swap
Blocks made by me for the Christmas Cottage Swap on All About Paper Piecing, 2009.

Pattern by Tina Reed.

Homes For The Holidays

Quilting Detail: Custom Quilting by Rock Creek Quilts

Homes For The Holidays

Quilting Detail: Custom Quilting by Rock Creek Quilts

Homes For The Holidays

Quilting Detail: Custom Quilting by Rock Creek Quilts

My family always holds off on decorating for Christmas until after my son’s birthday on December 2. We had a house full of boys last night and this morning the celebration is officially over.

We’ll be decorating tonight after I spend my afternoon at Honey Bee Quilt Store for Open House for January – May classes and then “Homes for the Holidays” will officially be in circulation!

Happy Sunday!

Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post.

Photobucket

Registration is open!

 
Sewhooked Shop | FB | SHFB | Flickr | Twitter | Bloglovin